Morris Stigma-Free Film Event: “Suicide, the Ripple Effect” in Jefferson, April 2

Wharton Talk on April 18 Focuses on Social Media and Teen Suicide Awareness

The difficult topic of suicide will be the focus of two special events scheduled for April in Stigma-Free Morris County, where a countywide initiative is underway to foster treatment and recovery for persons dealing with very difficult issues that could lead someone to consider taking his or her own life.

Jefferson:On Tuesday, April 2, at Jefferson Township High School (10 Weldon Road), there will be a special showing of the documentary film, “Suicide, the Ripple Effect,” which focuses on the devastating effects of suicide and the tremendous positive ripple that effects of advocacy, inspiration and hope that are helping millions heal and stay alive. It will be followed by a question and answer session and discussion.

The feature length film chronicles the story of Kevin Hines, who at age 19 attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Since then, Kevin has been on a mission to use his story to help others stay alive and find recovery.

Wharton:On Thursday, April 18, at the Marie V. Duffy Elementary School, there will be a special forum, “Social Media and Teen Suicide Awareness …. What Every Parent Should Know.”

Speaker Heather DiDomenico, LPC, from Bridges Counseling, will talk to participants about the warning signs of children in crisis and solutions for prevention.

Teenagers are using a language all their own to talk and keep secrets that includes emojis, acronyms and their own terms. During the discussion, DiDomenico will discuss social media apps and explain how kids use them, and how they can be appropriate, misused or even dangerous. A Q&A will follow the talk.

Hosts of this FREE event are Wharton Police Department and the Wharton Municipal Alliance. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Marie V. Duffy Elementary School, 137 E. Central Ave., Wharton.

The Jefferson event, sponsored by JT Connect, is the work of Jefferson Girl Scout, Brittany Boetticher. It is part of Project Speak Out, which is Brittany’s Girl Scout Gold Award activity.

In 2009, after Jefferson Township suffered the loss of several individuals by suicide, it became clear that there was an immediate need to raise awareness about mental illness, provide education to the community and, most importantly, connect people through support and resources.

JT CONNECT was founded by Debi Merz, who is the current Council Vice President; Ellen Bechtold, the pastor of Jefferson’s Milton United Methodist Church; and Kristine Wilsusen, Jefferson’s Community Health Educator. The framework for the group was started in 2010 when the founders met with Celina Gray, Executive Director of the Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma to help define a mission statement and direction for the group.

Originally named Jefferson Township Mental Health Project, the group was re-branded in 2012 as JT CONNECT, signifying the need to “connect” the community by raising awareness about mental health, erasing stigma and providing acceptance and support so people would be willing to reach out for help.